Your thoughts on Issue 2, It's in stores today! Options

[Bryan Deemer]

Ok everyone, I'm dying to hear what you think of issue two.

Let me have it.

Bry

[RichCG]

OOOoooo Spiffy new Avatar!

I'm hoping when I get home my comps are in the mailbox. I wish to give my thoughts on Issue #2 as soon as I get it.

I would go to the comic store today, but it's frigging raining here in Manhattan and I hate walking around the city in the rain. OR I could just have some lacky get it for me HEHE!

Comments to come soon!

[soduh]

Top notch!
I heard on the last CGS podcast that Bryan said there are like 300 more things we need to fix for issue 3, I am very curious to hear what those may be???????
I know #2 isn't exactly perfect but I can't imaging that there are that many glaring errors!

[Bryan Deemer]

Top notch!
I heard on the last CGS podcast that Bryan said there are like 300 more things we need to fix for issue 3, I am very curious to hear what those may be???????
I know #2 isn't exactly perfect but I can't imaging that there are that many glaring errors!

Well, 300 might be a bit of an exageration, but I know that I saw some mistakes, and I'm sure that once others start chiming in addition errors will be brought to light.

The bottom line is, we are learning with each issue and we will continue to improve.

Bry

[RichCG]

Well, 300 might be a bit of an exageration, but I know that I saw some mistakes, and I'm sure that once others start chiming in addition errors will be brought to light.

The bottom line is, we are learning with each issue and we will continue to improve.

Bry

It's all a game of what works and what doesn't. Editing a whole magazine can not be easy at all. I mean being a designer, is hard enough to try and get everyone's ideas and input into play and make sure everyone likes it.

I hope I can continue to stay on the magazine! I know how much people like the one single format, but I think throwing in a different design here and there breaks up the monotony of the magazine.

Didn't decide to make this a Sticky this time?

This post has been edited by RichCG: Mar 19 2008, 02:47 PM

[comicbooknoise]

Just by flipping through it a little, I can see that a lot of the issues mentioned about issue 1 aren't present in issue 2. The biggest things that I can see are the page margins are fixed, the columns (ongoing articles not areas on the page) have a uniform design and of course, the comic at the end.

Nice.

[RichCG]

Only one so far

[ecantrell]

I just picked up my copy over my lunch break. I have only flipped through it, but there is a very noticeable amount of improvement in the overall look and design of the individual articles and the magazine as a whole.

Plus I had a letter printed in the back! My last name was misspelled (Cantrell - an 'l' was missing), but seeing my letter just made my day!

I can't wait to give Comics Now #2 a read!

[Bryan Deemer]

I just picked up my copy over my lunch break. I have only flipped through it, but there is a very noticeable amount of improvement in the overall look and design of the individual articles and the magazine as a whole.

Plus I had a letter printed in the back! My last name was misspelled (Cantrell - an 'l' was missing), but seeing my letter just made my day!

I can't wait to give Comics Now #2 a read!

Evan,

I'm very sorry about the misspelling. I must have copied and pasted and missed that last L.

I'm glad that the magazine looked better just at a glance. That will go a long way towards helping sales.

Bry

[soduh]

OK, I just read through some of Issue #2 on my lunch break and I am probably in the same boat as Bryan where you are your own worst critic.
I looked through the the design of the article I did and, if I had it to do all over again, I would change EVERYTHING. Is anything incorrect or wrong? No.
But looking at the book as a whole there is still a lot I would change. That is the hard thing about living in your own little world only designing the one article.
It is a learning process, I am sure if I get the chance to do another layout, I will be flipping through the first two issues and making some serious notes to change.

[David D.]

Just went to Midtown East to grab a copy on my lunch break. Only had time to flip through, but it looks great. And it looked like Midtown had ordered a big pile. Got get 'em CGS: NYC!

[RichCG]

OK, I just read through some of Issue #2 on my lunch break and I am probably in the same boat as Bryan where you are your own worst critic.
I looked through the the design of the article I did and, if I had it to do all over again, I would change EVERYTHING. Is anything incorrect or wrong? No.
But looking at the book as a whole there is still a lot I would change. That is the hard thing about living in your own little world only designing the one article.
It is a learning process, I am sure if I get the chance to do another layout, I will be flipping through the first two issues and making some serious notes to change.

Soduh,

I had the same sentiment when I first saw issue #1 with the meanwhiles and podcasting sections I designed. I totally agree. You are working on something you think is great and after it hits print and you look at it, I think to myself, "what was I thinking".

It is true though artist are always normally their own worst critics. You can ask my fiance, she hates when I trash my own work because I know it was good when I did it but afterwards I second guess myself.

But take the good with the bad, over look the 2 issues and compensate and make changes where necessary.

I changed the look of the meanwhile a little bit for the 2nd issue, and I hope everyone notices and likes it a little bit better. Even though I know that many people weren't fond of that section.

[BrodieIsGod]

My thoughts on issue #2:

My shop doesn't carry it, and I have to wait for my request to the shop to specially order me a copy...

[Bryan Deemer]

My thoughts on issue #2:

My shop doesn't carry it, and I have to wait for my request to the shop to specially order me a copy...

Well your shop should carry it. When they get a copy for you, make sure you show it to the manager so he can see it for himself.

Bry

[Clayton Blind Lo...]

Well, I got my copy today. Haven't read it yet. This is valuable bedside table reading material when the kids are fast asleep and the house is nice and quiet. It is great to see that my buddy (shop owner) values my input. We have 3 reservers (me included) and 2 for the shelf.
After a quick skim (not reading) while waiting to pay for my week's pull, I am very excited to dive right into it. There is way more articles in this issue that interest me. Plus, that cover is just KILLER! Seriously, nothing wrong with Issue #1's cover, but this one just screams "pick me up!" Fantasic cover! Everyone will take the time to see this cover if the opportunity presents itself. Really nailed it this time around. Again, I mean no disrespect to the first issue's cover. This is such a personal taste concern anyways.
I will say one criticism. I don't pick up a quarterly comics magazine to read/seek out a "Meanwhile" section. Especially when it covers the most recognizable titles and, often, best selling titles. The websites have my back for this info (if I want it). And very much so for these titles you cover here. If there had to be a "Meanwhile" section, I would be more inclined to read and pay attention to a summery of 3 issues covering a title that I have not heard of (or know very little about). This would help a title like Checkmate or Manhunter out immensly. Even an indie book like ASP's Killer would bound to hook in a few readers in this method. Maybe I'm looking at the point of this section all wrong. I don't know. Anyways, just a thought.
Love your magazine guys! (and your podcast, of course!)
I'll chime in more when I get busy reading it.

C.

[Jer]

Saw it on the shelf in my brand-new LCS (I moved!). Very excited. Didn't buy the one copy since comps should come at some point and I'd rather a new reader check it out. still made my day, yay! Encouraged the staff to check it out and give me feedback when I come in next week.

Here's the phone pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16341952@N00/2346086693/

[Wood]

Well, I got my copy today. Haven't read it yet. This is valuable bedside table reading material when the kids are fast asleep and the house is nice and quiet. It is great to see that my buddy (shop owner) values my input. We have 3 reservers (me included) and 2 for the shelf.
After a quick skim (not reading) while waiting to pay for my week's pull, I am very excited to dive right into it. There is way more articles in this issue that interest me. Plus, that cover is just KILLER! Seriously, nothing wrong with Issue #1's cover, but this one just screams "pick me up!" Fantasic cover! Everyone will take the time to see this cover if the opportunity presents itself. Really nailed it this time around. Again, I mean no disrespect to the first issue's cover. This is such a personal taste concern anyways.
I will say one criticism. I don't pick up a quarterly comics magazine to read/seek out a "Meanwhile" section. Especially when it covers the most recognizable titles and, often, best selling titles. The websites have my back for this info (if I want it). And very much so for these titles you cover here. If there had to be a "Meanwhile" section, I would be more inclined to read and pay attention to a summery of 3 issues covering a title that I have not heard of (or know very little about). This would help a title like Checkmate or Manhunter out immensly. Even an indie book like ASP's Killer would bound to hook in a few readers in this method. Maybe I'm looking at the point of this section all wrong. I don't know. Anyways, just a thought.
Love your magazine guys! (and your podcast, of course!)
I'll chime in more when I get busy reading it.

C.

Clayton...we're trying something different with Meanwhile in Issue 3, stay tuned.

[RichCG]

everyone always hates on the Meanwhiles

[BrodieIsGod]

Well your shop should carry it. When they get a copy for you, make sure you show it to the manager so he can see it for himself.

Bry

Is that how comic shops work outside of mine? I can't even get them to carry some Image or Dark Horse books. I showed them issue 1 (after I had to special order it) and they kind of shrugged it off. There are some books that are supposed to be in my pull box that I get every sixth issue or so, and I ask them about the missing issues and they tell me that they have not come out even though before I leave to pick up my books, I check Diamond's site to confirm it did indeed come out. This week's CB casualty: PVP.

For the past couple months, I have been slowly moving my books to this website that you guys mention a couple times a week, DCBS. I will be ordering issue 3+ through them.

I'm hoping they might get every other book to me that I would like.

Enjoyed issue 1, still looking forward to issue 2...

[BrodieIsGod]

Clayton...we're trying something different with Meanwhile in Issue 3, stay tuned.

My idea for Meanwhile would change it from reviewing 3 issues, to reviewing recent storylines that wrapped up. Recent examples would include Messiah Complex, Sinestro Corps, or even done in one stories like most of Dini's Detective run. Mix in some mainstream with some indy and, for me at least, it would make the Meanwhiles more interesting...